John,

Today, we honor Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day. Texas was the last state to announce the Emancipation Proclamation, despite the Civil War ending in April of that year and over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was issued. On June 19, 1865, the still enslaved African Americans in Texas finally heard the news that they were free.

While America’s Black community has seen progress, there’s still much work to be done. In recent research by LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, 36% of Black LGBTQ+ candidate respondents reported facing racism on the campaign trail and 31.9% reported experiencing prejudice because of their sexual orientation, while four in five candidates stated endorsing political organizations biased white candidates over Black candidates.

Electing the next generation of Black leaders is still a necessary step as part of a larger plan for equality. Without the right voices in government, we cannot hope to right the numerous wrongs still standing in the way of Black freedom and liberation. Today, donate to support Victory Fund’s Black Leaders Caucus, our effort to reduce the representation gap and ensure Black LGBTQ+ candidates have the support they need to win.

Right now, there are only 146 out LGBTQ+ Black elected officials in the entire country. Black people and LGBTQ+ people continue to feel the consequences of this underrepresentation in policies and legislation that target our communities. By supporting Black LGBTQ+ candidates, we can help amplify voices that have been silenced for far too long and foster a political landscape that is truly reflective of our diverse society.

We are honored to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ Black leaders and support them in times of trial and times of triumph. Your donation can make a profound difference. It can help break down the barriers these candidates face and ensure they have the resources needed to run successful campaigns. Together, we can create a future where everyone is represented and has a seat at the table. Stand together with us – donate to Victory Fund’s Black Leaders Caucus and elect a new generation of Black LGBTQ+ candidates!

Thank you for your support,

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund